Vote: Does Gabourey Sidibe Have a Hollywood Future?

By PopEater Staff Posted Mar 10th 2010 11:15AM

Gabourey Sidibe became the toast of Hollywood with her role as the titular character in 'Precious,' which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

But are there other parts out there for Sidibe, besides those of overweight, pregnant teens?

Yes, she's proved herself funny on the red carpet (Telling Ryan Seacrest her Oscar dress was "The money shot" was amazing!) and charming during her appearances on talk shows. She also has the power of Oprah behind her. But does it really matter when it comes to film and television?

Despite her obvious talent, experts are mixed about whether scripts will roll in for the 26-year-old.

PopEater's own Rob Shuter chatted with Joy Behar about the actress' career, telling Joy that casting directors don't see much down the road for Sidibe. Watch:

As Behar points out, Nikki Blonsky received high praise for her turn in 'Hairspray,' but the full-figured girl hasn't had work since.

Kevin Polowy, Senior Editor of Moviefone, agrees with Shuter and Behar.

"It'll be a challenge for Sidibe to sustain a prominent career, undoubtedly. Sadly, it's already tough enough for women and minorities to find good roles in Hollywood, and she faces another undeniable hurdle because of her weight. But she's such a genuine talent, such a glowing screen presence, the screenwriters and filmmakers of the world would be fools not to craft her some meaty roles --or at least one solid TV gig for the time being."

Others believe her new credentials will provide opportunities for the actress. "Gabby has those two golden words in front of her name now: Oscar Nominee. That opens doors," says Fancast's Senior Editor Tracy Phillips. "The challenge will be for her to make good choices. But she's already doing that. She has her next job already lined up, appearing on Showtime's new dark comedy, 'The C Word,' starring another Oscar nominee, Laura Linney. That's a smart move."

"She has talent, a sophisticated new project on deck--and she has Oprah in her corner," Phillips adds. "What more do you need?"

Although Shuter, Behar, Polowy and Phillips are gracious about Sidibe's chances, bleak as they may be, there are a few who are more frank, and downright mean, about her available opportunities, like Howard Stern.

Stern doesn't think Gabby's career has a chance to survive, The Huffington Post reports.

"There's the most enormous, fat black chick I've ever seen. She is enormous. Everyone's pretending she's a part of show business and she's never going to be in another movie," he said on his show.

"She should have gotten the Best Actress award because she's never going to have another shot. What movie is she gonna be in?" Stern added.

He then turned to Oprah, who's been praising the young actress up and down, and touting her as the next Meryl Streep.

"Oprah's another liar, a filthy liar. She's telling an enormous woman the size of a planet that she's going to have a career."

However, Stern is a little bit wrong. Sidibe has two more gigs on her resume. She's been picked up for a 13-episode stint on Showtime's 'The Big C,' and has one film -- 'Yelling to the Sky' -- in post-production, according to IMDB.com.

Yet, whether or not her career will be littered with sidekick roles -- or even any at all -- remains to be seen.

Tags: gabourey sidibe, joy behar, nikki blonsky, rob shuter

Comments

(104)

Wednesday 10 March

By Lindi

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she's a one time wonder, if not for Oprahs money, it would not have been a big deal...ofcourse,Tylers too. I feel Oprah should put her BIG FAT EGO in the closet, as well as her Belief we cannot do without her.... we can!!!!!!

By airnot7

The big girl did a good job as actor but I am reluctant to cheer her on because she may reinforce the fact to other younger obese people that its ok to be so oveweight, we are at near epideemic with this disease and along with it goes a host of health problems which are passed along to taxpayers. We need to cut the fat, so to speak, in all venues to give ourselves a break from the expense we have encountered in our welfare/medicade system. I am sorry but she is just too big and she is a threat to our impressionable children. It is not ok to be obese. She should go to college with her earnings and get on a weight loss program and loose the weight because movie parts are going to be few and not enough to live on and if she continues being obese, even with a college education she will have problem with employment. That is just the true facts.

By ricochet

There is absolutely no reason she could not be cast in another movie or TV show as anyone else in the cast. To contemplate roles only for a "really big girl" as that character's personality is ridiculous. Almost any story can have characters of any size or ethnicity. Trying too hard is what will destroy her chances at a hollywood future, not her appearance. Those trying to "help" her by discussing it are doing her more harm than good. Just put her in another movie as an average person and see if she can act. THEN, decide her fate!

Thursday 11 March

By dragon

You need to go back to school, learn how to spell, and learn about REAL life....before you call other people you have not met, disgusting. This Fat woman has been seen, intelligent people that have seen her, are allowed to make an intelligent observation....which, to most, is that she is disgusting

By xzotic007

yeah

By DeePDX

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Damn, I haven't seen a bigger collection of haters ever.

Say what you want, but I'd be pretty stoked to find that when you take your own fate and luck into your own hands with a big heart (she has to be that big to contain a huge heart)you can be rewarded. I look forward to being able to watch her act soon again.

Oh, and by the way Howard Stern, you got the PERFECT figure and face for radio. Keep on truck'in, dude.

By Beverly Lacey

R U kidding?????? She has 2 B 1 of the most grotesque thing I have ever had the disgust of having to look at on TV. I have to look at this gross stuff everyday, they all live on taxpayers(like me), and think it's great that they can live off of other ppls work......This is what ppl want as a roloe model???? Thank goodness I will not be around much longer, makes me sick....what a country.....2bad

In response:
1) taxpayers have absolutely nothing to do with this discussion; 2) she's not anymore discusting than you are; 3) even if you and everyone believes that she is, there are people just like her on every street in America, so there is a place in any movie or TV show; and 4) not everyone on TV or in a movie is a role model! Charlie Sheen's character - role model - seriously? Howard Stern - role model - seriously? Dog the bounty hunter - role model - seriously?

By meatball

lol at what nathan hotdogs eating contest what a pig

By Nancy

There is no way that Gabby has a future in Hollywood and Oprah is deluding her into thinking she does. Her performance was obviously great in Precious but really....how much of a stretch was it. She played a big angry woman. Same goes for Monique. They must have seen the videos of her after she was thrown off the United flight and then went on to encourage all black people to boycott the airline. They wanted an angry woman and they got one.

I'm surprised Queen Latifah didn't get this role and I probably would have seen the movie then because I have a lot of respect for the very talented "Queen". I'm sure she was on the phone with her agent about that one......and rightfully so.

I thought it was funny watching Gabby's mother at the Oscars. It was obvious that even Monique was saying to herself, "Why do I have to be sitting with these people?" as the newly crowned "royalty" of Hollywood tried to distance herself. Just watching Monique walk around now, as if she's better than everyone, is truly sickening. All I can see is the old Monique....the angry, loud mouth Monique before Oprah told her to start looking for an Oscar gown.

But the thing that really makes me not want to see another minute of Gabby is her precociousness. I understand that she is young but her belief that she really was where she belonged at the Oscars is nothing short of delusional.

And as far as Howard Stern is concerned -- like Simon Cowell, he tells it like it is and he's usually right on target.

By Lillian

She will have to be creative to invent roles for full-figure and large women just like Monique did for television with the Parker's.

By R

she's way over the top in more ways than one. oprah tried to throw her status around at the oscar's in order to win this girl an award. but the bottom line is - she's not good enough, old enough OR humble enough to receive such an honor. just because she is BLACK and she starred in yet another movie of the AWFUL BLACK LIFE - doesn't mean she or the movie is AUTOMATICALLY the best. it's unfortunate but everyone today thinks that BLACKS deserve everything because of their PLIGHT. whatever it is....

By William

The reason Gabby wont have a future in Hollywood,is a simple fact .With her weight being an issue most Projects for movies and Tv have to carry insurance on their stars,I dougbt she would be able to.Producter and Directors need their stars to be a good physical condition as they put up alot of money for their projects and cant affrd to reshoot when the star dies from weight related issues.If she loses the weight maybe she can have a future,not only in Hollywood but in anything in life.
I am saying this from a standpoint of being overweight at one time myself,I lost 140 pounds and if I can do it anyone can.

Friday 12 March

By CARMEL

I SAW THE MOVIE AND JUST LIKE SOMEONE SAID THEY NEEDED A BIG BLACK GIRL TO PLAY THAT PART. IT COULD OF BEEN ANYONE, AND REALLY YOU DO NOT WANT NO CAREER BEING A BIG FAT BLACK GIRL SO EVERY TIME THEY NEED SOMEONE FOR THAT PART. SHE REALLY,REALLY,REALLY NEEDS TO LOSE WEIGHT FOR REAL!!! AND ITS NO JOKE ITS HER HEALTH I AM NOT GOING TO LIE LIKE OPRAH SHE REALLY NEEDS TO HEAR THE TRUTH.

Saturday 13 March

I know it's the thing to say..."size doesn't matter" but it does! I wouldn't pay money to see her fat arse for my entertainment..that's the truth.. Her sttitude "I'll hit Chick File really hard tomorrow" no need to say so, we can all see and it's disgustin! She must weigh near, if not more than 400 lbs, how long can her heart carry that weight?

Sunday 14 March

By michael w edwards

I think the actress is great they shouldn't look at the size look at the personality. The intellegence show more than the character. It's to much judge mental in this world I hope she makes it in life and keep up the good work.

Monday 15 March

By patsy

Howard stern is the biggest loser in the country, why would ANYONE put creedence to what he says? The guy is nothing more than a gay low life bum drug addict. WHO CARES how fat she is? Really, it's none of your business. I remember many fat celebrities that have gone plenty of places in hollywood. remember shelly winters? nell carter? mama cass eliot? what a short memory peopole have. The US is a fat nation, like it or not. Always has been and always will be.

By m. sardoff

Fact: Obesity leads to heart problems, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, bone loss, infertility, and a myriad of other problems including early death.
Fact: Obesity leads to stress, emotional disorders, insecurity, embarrassment, social problems, sexual malfunction, and misery.
IN CONCLUSION: HOW DID SUCH A YOUNG WOMAN EVER GET TO BE SO MORBIDLY OBESE. Where were her parents...her teachers, her guidance counselers,doctors, and friends if she had any?

Monday 22 March

By pognyc

Yes there is a double standard in Hollywood, America. However, if she is a good actress. She can make it like Camryn Manheim Did.

Saturday 20 March

By Monte

I just saw the movie and I love the job she did. I have to say it may be a huge huddle to cross as a plus size woman to get roles but the talent is there. Sad we only look at what's on the outside, but the woman is very good and Oprah is right she will rise as a actress. Love the performance.

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